US Defense Secretary Pete Hagest said the "Midnight Hammer" operation created conditions that have led Iran to the negotiating table over its nuclear program. He described the 37‑hour mission as unprecedented, claiming all guided munitions hit their targets and that Iran’s air‑defence systems were unable to respond, leaving them further weakened. Hagest added that the United States’ decisive military victory has opened the way for diplomatic talks and assured that, through either agreement or further action, Iran will never acquire nuclear weapons.